Woodpeckers has announced that their popular Paolini Pocket Rule will now be a permanent addition to their product catalog.
The Paolini Pocket Rule has been offered as a OneTimeTool several times now, with large gaps of time in between when you could not buy one. Now, you can buy it year-round.
Note: Woodpeckers is offering the Paolini Pocket Rule at an introductory price to mark this event.
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These handy rules, with their specially designed stop, are available in 18 different configurations, ranging in price from $32.99 to $49.99 individually.
How to Use it for Horizontal Measurements
The Paolini Pocket Rule’s features are similar to other pocket rules, allowing you to make accurate repeated measurements. The Paolini was designed in conjunction with Greg Paolini, an expert furniture maker and instructor whose courses have received rave reviews among woodworkers, such as on the Festool Owner’s Group forum.
The inch model has 1/16″ and 1/32″ scales on both sides. They’re lined up so if you need the finer scale, you just flip the rule over and you’re there. The same is true for the end scale, just flip it over to switch between fine and coarse graduations.
The metric has the same rules, but with 1mm scales on both sides. There’s a combination version with both inch and metric, with 1/16″ and 1mm scales on one side, and 1/32″ and 1mm scales on the other.
How to Use it for Vertical Measurements
You can also use the Paolini Pocket Rule to make vertical measurements up to 1″, by removing the stop and placing it on the inside of the rule.
Positioned like this, the stop holds the ruler upright so that you can use it hands-free for machine set-up, such as when dialing in the height of a router bit, saw blade, or dado stack.
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Paolini Pocket Rule Sizes and Styles
Woodpeckers is offering the Paolini Pocket Rule with the choice between stainless steel or aluminum rules. They will be available with inch, metric, or combination inch/metric markings.
The imperial version is available in 6″, 8″, and 12″ lengths, and metric in 150mm, 200mm, and 300mm.
The prices of each rule will increase by $2-$3 after the introductory period, which ends, 4/9/2019.
Stainless Steel Paolini Pocket Rules
- 12-inch, 300mm, combination: $49.99
- 8-inch, 200mm, combination: $44.99
- 6-inch, 150mm, combination: $39.99
The Stainless Steel ruler measures 1/16″ thick and 1″ wide.
Also shown here is the optional wall storage rack, which allows you to mount up to three Paolini Pocket Rules on the wall.
Aluminum Paolini Pocket Rules
- 12-inch, 300mm, combination: $42.99
- 8-inch, 200mm, combination: $37.99
- 6-inch, 150mm, combination: $32.99
As you’d expect from Woodpeckers, the aluminum version is anodized red, their signature color. The aluminum ruler is 1/8″ thick and 1″ wide.
You can also buy a full set of stainless steel Paolini Pocket Rules for $140, or a full set of aluminum rules for $120. The sets include a rule of each length, plus a Rack-It wall storage rack. The storage rack will also be available separately, for $10.99 ($12.99 regularly).
Buy Now (via Woodpeckers)
Shipping ETA: 5/15/19
First Impressions
I’ve wanted a Paolini Pocket Rule for a long time, and somehow I’ve always missed the window for buying it as a OneTimeTool. In a trend that I hope continues, Woodpeckers appear to be converting more and more of their tools into permanent additions to their collection.
So far this year I’ve noted the launch of their Variable Router Jig and Parallel Guide System, both of which have also been on my wanted list.
Hopefully they will use the OneTimeTool range to gauge interest, with the more popular tools being added to their permanent catalog. Companies in other industries, such as Peak Design have effectively and successfully used Kickstarter in a similar manner.
Back to the Paolini. I have Kreg’s Multi Mark ($15 via Amazon) and it’s one of my most regularly used tools. Priced at $15, it’s a bit less than half the cost of the equivalent Paolini. It’s a very useful tool but I have often found that it’s not long enough for my needs, and the plastic makes it a little bulky. Mine has taken quite a beating so it’s time for an upgrade\replacement.
Just like clamps, you can never have enough measuring tools. I think this one will be a valuable and versatile addition to my kit and will be ordering the Stainless Steel metric set while it’s on offer.
Joel A.
I was really interested in this and it wasn’t available, ended up going with an Incra T-rule. Definitely don’t regret that decision, but it makes me wonder why Woodpeckers keeps doing this stupid one time only concept. Make a limited run, if it works keep it going. If I’m not in a position to buy that item RIGHT NOW, well then screw em I guess?
fred
My take is that it is a marketing concept. They try to create a buzz by announcing one-time tools – produce only-what pre-sells – reducing their risk that they will be left holding onto inventory of unsold items. Since they ask and seem to command a premium price for their tools – there may feel less pressure to reduce per-unit costs by having an extended production run.
I partnered in 2 businesses that produced goods – but only as samples or when under contract. That had some advantages in that we had little finished product in inventory over any extended period – resulting in lower carrying expense associated with inventory. The downside was that if a customer needed an item immediately (off the shelf) they had to look elsewhere if they could not accept our lead times. We did have long term ongoing contracts with some customers to regularly produce certain items – and scheduled in our “custom” work around that production.
Gordon
Psychology. People are always more likely to impulse buy if there is a threat that they never get a second chance. It seems to work for them.
Personally I’d love to see a “kickstarter” style buying option. Let me buy the item and pay for it, then once X number are bought and paid for, they produce it.
Joel A.
This is a genius idea, you have to believe some (or most) hobby cnc machinist has already done the math on it though. You would need incredibly high accuracy / repeat-ability to produce measuring equipment, right?
Keith
at those prices…..I can still do it the old fashion way just as easily and just as accurately!!
Tom Babington
Well…their position is essentially being disengenuous with potential customers. It’s a stretch to call this strategy anything else. I’ve attempted to say it in a nice way but it is what it is!
Nice…because their quality is superb and who wouldn’t want some (or all) of their products and I respect that. Perhaps their prices are fair for the level of workmanship. I wonder if the work many of us create requires “thousandths” in measurement! Pricing issues eliminate all but the guys with lots of money to spend. The old guys like me can’t afford them unless we hide the purchase from our better halves. Then, there’s the occasional crafter who says it’s easier to beg forgiveness than to ask for permission!
🤪
John
For people who want a more reasonably priced ruler and stop, you can’t beat these from Taytools fro $7 and $9:
6″
https://www.amazon.com/Bundle-Taytools-Anodized-Aluminum-Machinist/dp/B07BZKH1N3/
12″
https://www.amazon.com/Bundle-Taytools-Anodized-Aluminum-Machinist/dp/B07BZ5DVP9/
I keep several of those where I need them. The double screw post on the Woodpecker is undesirable. A single is all that is needed, but they complicated the design to make it stand on edge, not a feature I want for setting router bit height since there are better ways than that.
Jim Felt
Thanks for the suggestion. I just ordered some for gifts.
Another a Toolguyd instant buy… Grrr.
Steve the Gullible
I agree with Jim, Thanks John. I just ordered the set too. inexpensive and useful.
Farid
Thank you , John. I added these to my cart.
Peter
Thanks John, appreciate the time you took to make the suggestion as well. Both ordered.
Ben V
Thanks John, those are pretty nice! They don’t have metric on Amazon, hopefully I can find them elsewhere.
Ben
ktash
I was looking at these and noticed they have them with two clamps. This is something I know I’ll use a lot, since I often set two combination squares for repeatable marking.
https://www.amazon.com/Taytools-108881-Anodized-Aluminum-Machinist/dp/B07BZGFFTJ/ref=pd_sim_0_2/140-4980077-4568162?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07BZGFFTJ&pd_rd_r=e037700d-57b4-11e9-a348-93f87c6825b6&pd_rd_w=bZQYK&pd_rd_wg=zgInJ&pf_rd_p=90485860-83e9-4fd9-b838-b28a9b7fda30&pf_rd_r=CYFC1DATTHBJJ2N6QSJK&psc=1&refRID=CYFC1DATTHBJJ2N6QSJK
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BZF7GBX?psc=1&pf_rd_p=298a0c45-dc51-4f20-b135-1fae23972f37&pf_rd_r=PA0B359G7V9MC7C5PWYD&pd_rd_wg=3z3IJ&pd_rd_i=B07BZF7GBX&pd_rd_w=HqNSE&pd_rd_r=02faac34-0635-4b2b-8f5d-003e3ac056ba&ref_=pd_luc_rh_crh_rh_sbs_02_01_t_img_lh
I notice they sell the stops separately, too.
Aaron
bought this the last time they made it and I love it. its been hugely helpful in the building of my workbench and tons of other projects.
Bob Hinden
I ordered and received the 12″ stainless model. Overall I like it and think it will be useful. I have a small metric ruler with a stop, this will be good for imperial.
I think the stainless model is better because the ruler is thinner and will cause less parallax errors.
One thing, I am finding it hard to set the stop to an exact measurement. I don’t understand this, might be some sort of reflection.
TonyRockyTiger
Ditto on the Kreg Multi-Mark. I love mine, and actually bought a second to use – I have actually used both at the same time!
Nathan
I don’t see that this does anything better than a quality combination square does.
I bought a PEC some time ago that has many more features for less – with a replaceable rule. so it’s metric or us
Also with the longer version of this – using it in the vertical manner – would there be concern for deflection. I would thing at the longer model it might should have 2 of those punch outs.